The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Snow Leopard Expedition in Spiti
Photographing snow leopards are a massive challenge and that's what makes it so rewarding and a sought after experience!
Whispers in white - A snow leopard, an apex predator of myth and mystery. A mirage in the snow, moves effortlessly through it’s habitat, a living testament to the art of adaptation and a master of camouflage, in the world's highest landscapes. Photo taken in Jan 2023, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India
Snow leopards are found in the high altitudes of the Himalayan mountain ranges in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan. In India, they are found primarily in Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and North Sikkim. One of the best places to see snow leopards in India is the Hemis National Park in Ladakh and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Other possible places to see snow leopards in India include the Nanda Devi National Park in Uttarakhand and the Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to spot other beautiful birds and wildlife species, such as ibex, blue sheep, red foxes, and many more.
Today, I'll share a comprehensive guide to help you photograph snow leopards and plan your expedition if you are on a shoestring budget.
Planning Your Expedition
Best time to visit Spiti for snow leopard expeditions: Late January, the whole of February, and early March. The animal usually comes down to the lower altitudes looking for fresh water and food. But the temperature drops well below - 20 degrees Celsius. If you are having a tough day, it can even drop to - 35 degrees Celsius along with severely lower oxygen levels. This type of weather condition plays tricks with your mind and body. It tests our limits, pushes us as human beings and we often rely on our primal survival instincts to kick in and keep us safe.
So, finding a very good local guide is probably the most important piece of this whole puzzle. A team of trackers/spotters and porters are required. Then there are permits and fees. I will link up a few resources that I would highly recommend at the end of this blog post. You can head over to their profiles and connect with them directly. They are great local guides and trackers themselves, who have a deep knowledge of the terrain and the wildlife around.
Recommended gear and clothing
The expedition will involve hiking through rugged terrain and deep snow. On the ridges, while you wait for the animal to show up you can expect light blizzards, try not to freeze! You will need a good telephoto lens and fast shutter speeds. 600mm often becomes a basic requirement. A sturdy tripod and a ton of patience will not hurt either.
Basic guesthouses and living with the locals are your only option but it's the best part of the whole journey. They will pamper you with warm food and stories. Take this opportunity to interact with them. Observe how they survive extreme weather conditions. It's a life-changing experience. You will start appreciating the little things in life - the warmth of the cold winter sun, the thin air you breathe and thank your stars that you got the fire burning through the night!
Here's a list of the camera gears I took on my Snow Leopard Expedition in Spiti:
You'll need a certain level of physical fitness and be prepared for the high altitude and extremely cold conditions but the rewards of spotting a snow leopard in the wild are well worth the effort. Am adding a - “things to the pack” list as well. You need to layer up. The wind chill is going to take some time to get used to.
5-6 layers of warm clothing, including thermal layers, a down jacket, waterproof pants, and a waterproof outer-shell jacket
1 pair of warm gloves and 1 pair of outer waterproof gloves
2-3 layers of socks
Woolens to protect your head
Heating patches for your hands and feet (recommended)
Sturdy hiking boots, gaiters, and trail crampons for better traction
Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun cap/hat
Insulated hydration packs or thermal flasks
Basic toiletries, including wet wipes, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer
A daypack for carrying essentials during hikes
Trekking poles for added stability on uneven terrain
A first aid kit with basic medical supplies, such as pain relievers, bandages, and blister treatments
Cash for unexpected expenses or tips for guides and trackers (ATMs and internet may not be readily available)
Suggested itinerary for Snow Leopard Expedition in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh:
Day 1: Reach Chandigarh by late evening, take the night bus to Shimla. If you are doing this trip in winter, the route via Manali mostly remains closed. So, it's better to take the longer route via Shimla.
Day 2: Grab some breakfast in Shimla and push for Rampur Bushahr or Reckong Peo. Overnight in Rampur Bushahr or Reckong Peo depending on where you can reach. Due to bad weather, you might hit roadblocks. If you are taking local share taxis, better to check if they are carrying chains for the ice roads ahead.
Day 3: Start early, continue to Kibber via Kaza. Overnight you can halt at Kaza or you can try reaching Kibber / Chicham.
Day 4: Rest day in Kibber for acclimatization. Slow down, drink a lot of water, and rest. Overnight in Kibber / Chicham.
Day 5: Day 8: Explore the natural habitats around Kibber and Chicham for Snow Leopard and other wildlife. Overnight in Kibber / Chicham.
Day 9: Time to start coming down from Kibber. You might want to explore Winters around Spiti Valley. Going to Langza, Key Monastery, and doing the touristy things for the whole day might be fun. Overnight in Kaza.
Day 10 - Day 11: Start your return journey from Kaza to Shimla, with an overnight stop at Kalpa. You can even spend a day here. Maybe take a detour to Pangi Village.
Day 12: Travel onward, reach Shimla, and then head back to Chandigarh / Delhi.
Note: I have added some frills to this itinerary and made it quite relaxed. You can choose to crunch it down to a 9-10 days trip and focus only on Snow Leopards if you are pressed for time.
Budget breakdown
Budgeting for a Snow Leopard Expedition in Spiti can vary depending on various factors such as the time of year, duration of your trip, level of comfort and convenience you are looking for and your chosen tour partner. I have broken down the budget into two basic components like: Travel Cost & Expedition Cost. It is as per my knowledge and understanding from my trip in the winters of 2023.
Additional Tips:
They are some of the mental notes for myself. A few small things - may or may not be helpful for you…
The moment you think you have fully acclimatized. You are usually wrong! Give it more time. Drink a lot of water.
Don’t just pack up yet! May be you have got the photo, still hang in there. Fight the cold.
It becomes easier to spot, and keep a track if you have seen the snow leopard with the naked eyes.
Useful Resources:
Snow leopard expert and local contact - Gompo Chhering As his social media bio reads - Teacher and passionate wild life photographer. He will be able to arrange everything for you. I mean everything!
Snow leopard expedition leader - Liton Paul
I hope the details help you in your quest to photograph the “Ghost of the Himalayas”. Good luck!
@the.photoguy
Rajarshi Mitra
